Automatic u-bar-cut-off machine



1,618,943 Feb. 22, 1927. I A. PALMER V AUTOMATIC U-BAR GUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 22,1927.

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AUTOMATIC U-BAR cur-ow MACHINE Fil d Feb. 9, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 22,1927. ,9

H. A. PALMER AUTOMATIC Tl-BAR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 arrow for,

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, v 618,943 F 1927- A. PALMER 1 AUTOMATIC U-BAR CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Feb. 9, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I "i" v gnuwnhz .Jfarryfl Pa Zmcr,

H. A. PALMER AUTOMAT IC UBAR CUT-OFF MACHINE Feb. 22,1927. 3 ,618,9 3

i-"iled Feb. 9, 1925 e Sheets-Sheet m. u' n Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

uairan STATES PATENTVAOFFICE.

HARRYA. PALMER, or JACKSON, MICHIGAN,'ASSIGNOR TO REYNOLDS- sr'nms coil/r raN or JAo so nMronIG iv;

I AUTOMATIC n-Bnn-ouT-orr MACHINE." I

Application filed February 9,1923. Serial No. $18,139.

The invention relates to an automatic U- bar cut-off machine.- v

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and efiicient autoinaticU-bar cutoiii machine of strong, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction designed who placed on the bed of a U-bar rolling machine and to operate on theformed U-ba'rs', as the same leave the 'U-bar rolling machine, and capable of ready adjustment for enabling U-bars of any required "length within the capacity of the machine, to be antomatically out oif for use in the production of spring constructions and other work. p

A further object of'the invention isto provide a cutoff machine of this character capable of havingthe material to becut fed into it by the rolling machine which forms the bars whereby separate feeding means for V passing the formed bars through the automatic cutting machine will be eliminated. Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic cutoff machine, capable in the cutting operation, of automatically yielding to the continuous forward feeding movement of the material resulting from the continuous operation of'the rolling machine and thereby preventing any buckling of the material which would be liable to result should the same come in contact with relatively fixed cutting means or devices which would interrupt the continuous forward feeding movement of the material. It is also an object of the invention to provide an automatic cut off machine adapted; to discharge the severed material from it and capable of automatically returning the cutting mechanism to its initial position after the cutting operation. I

With these and other objects in viewthe invention consists, in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion .and minor details of construction, within the scope of he claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany' of the advantages of the invention. I

In the drawings, in which like characters corresponding parts of reference designate in the several views 7 Figure 1 1s a rear elevat on of an automatic U-bar cut-oif machine,'constructed in accordance with thisuinvention, the guide trough'being omitted. I

Figure 2'is a side elevation of the automatic U-bar cut-off machine.

- Figure?) isah'orizontal sectional View of, the same. I

I Figure, 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view ofthe U-Ibar cut-off machine.

Figure 5'is an end-elevation of the guide trough and the means for supporting the same and the movable bottom thereof.

Figure 6 is aplan'view of the auxiliary frame.- 1 Figure"? is a rear ele-vationof the same;

Figures Sand 9 are detail views of the ver= tical movable slide. I 7

Figures 10 and 11 are detail views of the ylolge for connecting the pitman with the s 1 e. I I VI Figures 12-an'd13 are detail views of one of the sections or members of the clutch. Q

Figure 14 is a detail view'of the lower die. d Figure 15' is a similar viewof the upper 1e. I 1 I Figures 16 and 17 are detail views of the yoke for-holding thelower die. 1 I Figures 1'8 and 19 are'detail views of the latch trip arm of the clutch mechanism. Figures 20 'and21 are detail! views ofthe spring actuated dog of'the clutch mechanism. Figure. 22-is a detail View of the circuit closing means of the clutchoperating mechan1sm.-

g Figure 23' is a detail view of the adjustable circuit closing device of the guide trough, Figure 24 is a detail view of the U-bar.

In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the. automatic U-bar' cut-off machine which is designed to operate in conjunction with a U-bar rolling niachine and to have the formedlU-barsfe'd intoit by-the U-barrolhng mach ne;comprises'in its construction a substantially U-shap'ed main frame 1 having vertical sides and a con- I 1 crank 5 which is connected by a rod 6 with a reciprocating slide 7 mounted in vertical ways 8 in the side portions of an auxiliary frame 9 hung from the crank shaft at opposite sides of the crank 5 and adapted to swing backwardly and forwardly as hereinafter fully explained to yield to and move with the formed U-bars in the continuous feeding movement of the same during a cutting operation and to return to its initial vertical position. at the completion of the cutting operation. The oscillatory auxiliary frame 9 is provided at the top at opposite sides with bearings 10 provided with removable caps 11 and the said vertical ways 8 at the sides of the frame 9 are formed by recessing the same and by plates 12 bolted or otherwise secured to the sides of the frame 9 and projecting at the recesses to form the outer or front walls of the ways 8. The central portion of the auxiliary frame is bowed forwardly and the vertically reciprocating slide 7 is substantially semi-cylindrical to conform to the figuration of the bowed portion of the auxiliary frame and is provided at opposite sides with laterally extending flanges 13 which slide in the vertical ways of the auxiliary frame.

The vertically reciprocating slide has mounted on it a yoke 14k of approximately U-shape, composed of spaced sides and a connecting bottom portion, the sides being bolted or otherwise secured. to the slide at opposite sides of the center thereof and pro vided with transversely aligned bearing openings 15 in which is mounted a transverse wrist pin 16 for pivotally connecting the lower end of the connecting bar to the yoke and the slide on which the yoke is mounted. The yoke is provided in its bottom transverse connecting portion with a recess 17 in which is secured an upper cut ting die 18 fitting the recess at the top and sides thereof and secured to the yoke by a suitable fastening device 19. The upper die 18 which is substantially rectangular is rounded at the upper corners as shown and it is provided in its lower end with a cut-- ting groove 20 preferably tapered as shown I and presenting oppositely inclined side walls and a curve connecting top wall to the formed U bar or strip to be severed into the tially U-shaped yoke 23 composed of spaced sides and a connecting inner or rear portion which is provided at the center with a groove 24 formed in the lower face of the said connecting portion and being substantially semi-circular in cross section to pre sent a transversely curvedconcave guiding surface to the top of the U-bar, The sides of the yoke or die attaching member 23 are bolted or otherwise secured to the base of the main frame and the said lower die fits between the sides of the yoke 23 and beneath the transverse connectin portion and extends to the rear edge of the latter. where the cutting of the formed U-bar is effected by the movable upper die 18 which is carried downward by the rotary movement of the crank shaft. By this construction the formed U-bar is guided over the lower die and is held in position so that a clean cut may be made in severing the material. 7 The.

lower die is provided with a central tongue 25 and it has grooves 26 at opposite sides of the tongue 25. The tongue or rib 25 which is rounded at the top, has inclined sides and conforms to the configuration of and fits within the formed U-bar and supports the material during the cutting operation.

After the auxiliary frame has been swung rearwardly during the cutting operation in yielding to the forward feeding movement of the U-baryit is returned toits initial vertical position'by means of a horizontally disposed coiled spring 27 connected at one end at the side of the main frame and at its thcr end to the auxiliary frame by means of a pin 28, mounted in the said auxiliary frame and having a grooved projecting portion receiving an eye or loop ofthespring 27. The coiled spring 27, which is a tension spring, maintains the auxiliary frame in a vertical position, and is distended by the rearward movement of the auxiliary frame. The transverse crank shaft is rotated'by a fiy wheel or pull-c3 29 when clutched thereto by the mean hereinafter described-andthe said fly wheel or pulley 29, which i s designed in practice to be connected by abelt with a pulley of a line or power shaft. is mounted on a reduced portion of a rotating clutch section 31 and is keyed or otherwise secured to the same, but any other suitable. means. may of course, be employed for imparting rotary motion to the crank shaft. The clutch section 31 which is continuously rotating during the operation of the nir'acl'iine. is provided at its inner end with a clutch face 32 and turns loose on the crank shaft, be" ig held against out-ward endwise 'n'iovelnen-t by means of a suitable collar 33 secured to the adjacent end of the c 'ank shaft. The clutch face 32 is formed by substantially racially arranged grooves 34 or recesses which are tapered in cross section and present'shouh ders'for engagement by a spring actuated dog 35 carried by a'cooperating clutch section36 mounted on and keyed to the crank shaftand adapted to impart rotaryfmotion to the same when the dog is engaged with the clutch face 32 of the rotating clutch section 81. The dog35- is preferably rectangular in cross section and is provided at" its inner or rear end with a, stud or extendin'g'into a coiled spring 38 for centering the same against the dog whereby the spring is adapted to force the dog 35 forwardly or outwardly into engagement with the clutch face ofthe continuously rotating'clutch section 31 when the said dog is released from its retracted position in which it is held by a clutch trip arm 89; The clutch trip arm 39', which is normally arranged in substantially a horizontal position, extends forwardly from the clutch and its inner end is provided at its upper face with .a recess 40 presenting a'curved edge to the clutch section 36 and fitting in an annular groove 41 thereof and adapted to engage the clutch dog to retract the same and withdraw the same from engagement with theclutch face 32 and maintain the'dog in a retracted position. The annular groove 41 of theeclutch section 36 is intersected by the longitudinal opening 42 in which the clutch dog is mounted and the said clutch dog is provided in oneof its side faces with a recess 42 having an inclined rounded wall 44 which is engaged by the free inner end of the clutch trip arm 39. The clutch trip arm 39 has its inner end rounded 1t the lower edge at 45'and bevelled and rounded at the side face at 46 and it is adapted to engage with the-said rounded wall or surface 44of the clutch dogto retract the same and unclutch the section 36 from the section '31 of the clutch. The Clutch 7 trip'arm 39 is pivoted at its outer end at 47 to the outer end' of an inclined bearing arm 48 which is provided at its lower end with an attaching portion bolted or otherwise secure-d to the main frame of the machine and the said bearing arm 48 extends upwardly and forwardly at an inclination and isbent laterally to arrange its upper outerend in proper position for supporting the clutch trip arm in a position opposite the annular groove of theclutch section 36. When the clutchtrip arm is pulled downwardly out of engagement with the recess 43,0f the clutch, the spring '38 will force the clutch dog into engagement with the clutch face of the rotating section 31 and rotary movement will be imparted to the crank shaft which will actuate the cutting mechanism. As soon as the clutch dog is engaged with the clutch face of the rotatingsection, itwill becarried away from its initial position a sufficientdistance to prevent the clutch dog from being rcengaged by the clutch t-rip -parmuntil the crank shaft ,has made approximately. one

revolution. When the clutch trip arm is pulled downwardly by the meanshereinaftei then released by the operating mechanism which has drawn it "downwardly and it is carried upwardly into the annular groove of the clutch section 36 by means of a substantially vertical coiled spring 47 secured at its lower end to the clutch trip arm and attached at its upper end to a substantially L-shaped arm of .a bracket 48 having an attaching por- 'tion at the bottom bolted or otherwise secured to the frame of the machine. The bracket 48 consists of a lower horizontal attaching pordescribed the clutch dog is then released, it is I tion and the said L-shaped arm which extends upwardly from one'end of the horizontal attaching portion and-then .trans I versely over the clutch trip arm to provide a support for the coiled spring 47. When the clutch trip arm is released by the operating mechanismand is carried upwarc toward the annular groove of the clutch section 86 by the coiled spring'47 v it occu pies a position in the path of the clutch dog and just. prior to a completion of one revolu- 74 tion of the crank shaft, it will engage? the clutch dog and withdraw the same from engagement with the clutch face in order that the crank shaft may be stopped by a brake 49 at the endof one complete revolu tion of the crank shaft so that the crank shaft will be stopped'with the crank loop or bend 5 in an upwardly extendingvertical position. The clutch trip arm is provided at its lower edge at a point intermediate of v cated at its ends -to straddle the; lug or ear 50 and the top portion ,of the armature. The verticalsideportions of. the armature extend into spaced vertical ,electro-magnets' 58 and whenvthe electro-magnets are energized by. the means hereinafter vdescribed, the

vertical core portions of the armature are drawn downwardly into the electro-magnets and the clutch trip is thereby swung down- I The formed Ue-bar passes b t cm the upper andlower dies and through 'the U-bar wardly to release the clutch dog.

' guide into a longitudinal trough 54, disposed longitudinally and adapted to receive and support the length of the U-bar to be severed and it maintains the portion to besevered in proper position with relation to the dies and the guides so that the projecting or'extenldedf portion of the U-ba-r lyingbeyondthe dies; will not sag or. bend and will be in proper of the upper and lower dies. This willen" position:to'be-severedbythe cutting, action 7 able a proper uninterrupted feeding of the formed U-bar to the automatic cutoff machine ,to be effected and a clean cut of the dies to be made and the severed U-bar will be in a straight perfect condition when it leaves the automatic cutoti' machine. The trough is composed of side walls and a bottom 56 which is adapted to be swung, by the means hereinafter described, from its position beneath and at the lower edges of the side walls for discharging the severed U- bar. The side Walls 55, which are spaced apart, are supported by spaced longitudinally aligned standards 57 mounted on supports 58 and provided at the top with over hanging portions or arms 59 forming openin'gs 60 in the lower portions of which are secured the side walls 55 of the trough 54, The bottom 56 is secured to and carried by approximately L-shaped arms 61 of a rock shaft 62 journaled in suitable bearings of the overhanging portions or arms of the standards 57 and provided at its front end with an outwardly extending operating arm 63. The arms 61 consist of depending vertical portions and inwardlyextending horizontal portions and they are located preferably in adjacent the rear faces of the standards 57 and when they are swung out- Wardly. they carry the bottom 56 from beneath the side walls 55 of the trough and permit the severed U-bar lying in the'trough to fall therefrom. The operating arm 63 is connected by a plurality oflink sections or members 64, 65 and 66 with an approximately horizontal arm 67 of a bell crank lever 68 fulcrumed at its angle by a bolt or pivot 69 to the main frame 1 and having an up wardly extending arm 70 arranged at a slight inclination and provided at its upper end with a roller 71 arranged to be engaged by a cam '72 of the crank shaft 2. The cam 72 which is located adjacent the left hand end of the machine in Figure 1 of the drawings, is preferably located between the brake 49 and the adjacent side of the .main frame and its cam face or portion is arranged to operate in timed relation wvith the upper cutting die so that after a length of the formed U-bar has been :severed'by the dies the cam 72 will actuate the bell crank lever 70 and rock the shaft 62 and thereby withdraw the bottom 56 from the sides of the trough to cause the severed. ll-bar to fall therefrom. The Sections or members 64:, and 66 of the link connection between the operating arm of the rock shaft and the bell crank lever provide for the necessary play "or movement of the parts incident to the swing of the bell crank lever and the operating arm- 68 which is arranged in a plane transversely to that of the bell crank lever. After the cam portion 73 of the cam 72 passed beyond the upwardly extend ing arm 70 of the bell crank lever, the rock twee shaft 62 and the bottom 56 of the trough are returned to their proper position 'by means of a torsion gspring 7t disposed on the rock shaft adjacent to one of the standards a collar 75 adjustably'moun ted on the rock shaft 62 and adapted to place the coiled torsion spring 74: under the desired tension. The cam portion 7 3 of the cam 7 2 is of sufficient length to hold the bottom of the trough in its open position a sufiicient period of time to permit the severed U-bar to fall from the trough and clear of the bottom thereof. The horizontal portion of each of the L-shaped arms of the rock shaft is recessed to receive the bottom of the trough which is bolted or otherwise secured to the L-shaped arms. i

The length of the severedlportion or bar of the formed U-strip is accurately con trolled by means of a circuit closing device which is arranged in the magnet circuit 76 and comprising resilient contact members 77 and 7 8 and a pivoted operating lever 7 910- cated in the path of the formed Uestrip or bar and adapted to be engaged by theend of the same and to be oscillated to move the contact member 77 upwardly into engagement with the contact member 7 8 for closing the magnet circuit for energizing the electromagnets 53 to swingthe clutch trip arm 39 downward as heretofore explained. The contact members 77 and 78 which are preferably constructed of spring metal are arranged within a housing or casing 80 constructed of sheet metal and mounted upon a base or supporting plate 81 0f substantially oblong form and adjustably seated upon the upper edges of the walls'55 of the trough ti l-and clamped to the same by clamping plates 82. V The base Or supporting plate is recessed atopposite sides of its lower face at 83 to fit between the spaced side walls of thetrough and theclamping plates 82 which are adjustably connected with the supporting plate 81 by bolts 84 fitted in opposite longitudinal grooves 85in the inner faces of the side walls 55 of the trough 54. The bolts or threaded studs 8 f which are suitably secured'at theiri'lower "ends to the plates 82 are threaded at their upperportions for the reception of nuts 66 which are adapted to be adjusted to clamp the base plate 81 in its adjusted position upon theside' walls of the trough. By adjusting the base plate 81 and the mechanismcarried by the same longitudinally o f the trough, the length of the severed portion of the formed U-bar or strip may bevaried to cut the material the required lengths'for a spring construction and other work." V

The-casing or housing 80 is of oblong formand is composed'of'side and end walls and a top wall; and the lowercontact memrelationwith the supportingplate81 and the upper contact member 78 which is arranged upon a block or piece 88 mounted upon the lower contact member -7 7 and arranged 'above' theblockor support 87. 'The blocks or supports 87 may be constructed of fibre or any other suitable material and theyinsulate the contact members from each other and form the supporting plate 81.

. of brass or any other suitable material and suitable source of supply.

supports its contact 95.

trip arm is pulled down out ofengagement:

' when the contact 90 is moved into engagement with the contact 91,the circuit will be closed and; the" electro-magnets energized; A line wire to the magnets isconnected to the upper contact member 7 8by a screw. 92 V and the current may be supplied from any After the clutch trip arm has been withdrawn and the clutch dog released and permitted to engage the rotating 'clutch' member or section, the magnet circuit is broken by means of a circuit opening and closing devicecomprising a contact 93 mounted upon and insulated'from the clutch trip arm and arranged to engage a cooperating contact 94. 7 supported by, a resilient contact member mounted'upon the frame of the machine and.

insulated therefrom. and connected with a line wire leading to a suitable ground as shown. The contacts 93 and 94 may be made of carbon or other suitable material and the contact- 93 and the contact arm or member 95 are secured to blocks v96 'and'97 of fibre or other suitable insulating material and the said contact arm or member is approxi: mately L-shaped as shown and yieldably When; the clutch with the dog, the circuit is opened at the contacts 93 and 94 and-the magnets are deenergized permitting the clutch trip arm-to return tothe clutch member of section 86 and the circuit willnot be closed at the contacts 94 and 95 until the clutch trip arm re-. turns the clutch dog to its initial position. When. the clutch, trip arm returns to its initial position the magnet circuit will be open at'the contacts90and91 and will remain open until the lever 79 is again actuated by the U-strip or bar. The lever 79 is pivoted vintermediate ofits ends at 98 and itslower armextends into the trough and is arranged in the path of the U-bar and'is adapted to be actuated by the same to swing the upper.

7 Thelower contact member 77 extends beyond the that machines may be constructed for ,cut-

ting angles and other shaped bars.

What is claimed is 1. An automaticcutoft machine including a crank shaft, an auxiliary frame pivot-ally hung fromthe crank shaft and solely supported by the same, alower cutting. die

mounted on the frame, a; slide movable on the frame, a yoke havingfspaced sides and secured to the slide, 'ajconnectingrod actuated by the 'crjank shaft and connected to the yoke between the sides thereof and anupper cutting die secured to the yoke and carried by the slide. 7

' 2. 'Aniautomatic cutoff lmachine'including a crank shaft, an auxiliary frame provided with :ways, a slide movable in the ways, a 7

lowercutting fdiev fixed to the auxiliary frame, ayoke having spaced sidesand sei cured to the slide andhaving bearings, a wrist pin mounted in the bearings, a rod connected with the crank shaft and with the wrist pin between the sideslof the -yoke, and an upper die located beneath and secured, to the yoke. f

3. An automatic cutoff machine including a crank shaft, an auxiliary frame pivotally hung from and] solely vsupported by thecrank shaft, a lower cutting die mounted on. the auxiliary frame, a .yoke securingthe lower die to the said vframe :and having. spaced sides providedv with a guide located atthe cutting portion 'ofthe said die, a movable upper cutting'. die and, means actuated by the shaftrand connected with the yoke between the sidesjthereof for operating the upper die. M I

' 4. An automatic cutoff machine including cutting mechanism, a longitudinal trough open at. the top, and provided with fixed side walls and having a movable bottom ar v rangedto receive and support a continuously fed barbeyondlthe cutting. mechanism, means for operating the cutting mechanism at, intervals to cut the bar and means operated in timed relation for opening a movable bottom of the trough to discharge the severed material therefrom."

5. An automatic cutoff machine including cutting mechanism, a trougharranged to 1 6'," 'ceive and support a continuously fed bar beyond the cutting Jmechanism, said trough having amovable' bottom, a rock shaft provided with an operating arm and connected with the movable bottom to open and close 7 the movable bottom and means operating in timed sequence with-the cuttingmechanism the s'a'me, a bell crank l'ever co'nnected Withthe operating arm of the rock shaft and acam for actuating the bell crank lever.

6. An automatic cutoii machine including a shaft, a cuttingmechanism actuated by the shaft, atrough having a movable bottom and adapted to receive and support a continuously fed bar beyond the cutting mechanism, a rock shaft'having an operating arm and provided with supporting means connected with the saidmovable bottom, a cammounted on the said shaft and a bell crank lever connected with the operating arm of the'rook shaft and actuated by the said cam t'o' open the movable bottom of the trough.

7 An automatic cutolimachine including cutting"mechanism, spaced standards having overhanging portions, a trough open at the top and composed of spaced hired sides and a movable bottom, the sides being secured in the overhanging portions of the standards, a rock shaft supported by the standards and having arms connected; with toopen-and close the movable bottom.

8. An automatic cutoff machineincluding cutting mechanism and means for operatingthe cuttingmechanism for cutting a. cont-inuously fed bar at intervals, said means comprising anautomatic self-contained clutch having a dogmovable automatically in an engaging positiom'a clutch tripping member normally holding thedog in a disengaged position, an electromagnet havingan armature-connected with the clutch'trippingmemher, and means located in the path of the bar for operating the magnetto withdraw the clutch trippin'g member from the dog to permit the latter to automatically move-to its' engagingposition.

9'. An automatic cutofii machine includingcuttingmechanism and means for operating thecutting-mechanism: for cutting a continuously fed' bar at interva-ls, said means comprising an automatic tripping member'norm'ally holding the dog 111-11 di'sei gaged position, an electric circuit,

a magnet in the circuit having an armatureconnecting with the clutch tripping inemb-e'r, anda circuit closing device arranged'in the-path of the said bar and adapted to be operated by thesainefor closing the'circuit' comprising janself-contain-ed clutch having a spring actuated dog, aclutch tripping mem- 1 ber normally holding the dog in: a disenself contained clutch having a. spring actuated dog, a'clutclr gaged position and movable upwardly and downwardly, an electric circuit, a: magnet arranged in the electric circuit and having an armature connect-ed with thecl'utch trippingmcmber for moving the saine'down'wardly', a spring'connected with tllGSillCl' member for moving the same upwardly, and means iscated' in the path of the material and adapt ed to be engaged by the same for closing the circuit to energize the magnet and withdraw the clutch tripping member from, the dogto permit the latter to-move automati- Cally to its engaging position, r

11. An automatic cutoff machine; including cutting mechanism and means for oper'-- ating the cutting mechanism for cutting a continuously fed bar at intervals, said-means comprising a: self-contained clutch havinga' spring actuated dog, a clutchtripping member normally holding the dogin a 'diSe'n ga 'ed position, an electric ClTCHlC, a magnet arranged in the circuit andhavmg an armature'connected with the clutch 'trippiiiginemher and moving-the sanieiii one direction; and a circuit opening and closing device having one of its contacts connected with the tripping member, whereby the circuit is" opened'when the said member is moved bythe magnet and'isclosed' when the member is returned to its'original position, said mem-' her being adapted torelease the dogto p'ermit the latter to move automatically to its engagingposition.

12. An automatic cutotf machine including cutting mechanism and means for operating the'cuttiii'g mechanism for cutting a cont-inuously'fed bar at intervals,said'means comprising a self-contained: clutchdmvingfa spring actuated dog, a -bearing arm, a clutch" tripping arm pivot-ed to'the bearing arm and normally lioldin the dog in a disengaged position, l a: bracket extending "above the clutch tripping arm, a spring connected with the bracket and with the clutch tr-ip ping arm, an electric circuit, a mag-net ar ranged in the circuit and having; an armature connected with the clutch tripping arm"; and a circuit opening and closing-device ar ranged in the path of andadapted to be engaged by the said bar for closing the circuit to energize the magnet and withdraw the tripping arm from the dog to permit: the latter to move to its engaging position:

13. An automatic cutoff machine including cutting mechanism andiinean's'for oper ating the cutting inechanismfor" cutting continuously fed bar at intervals,.sai'd'mean's comprising a self-contained clutch having. spring actuated dog, a pivoted clutch trip; pingarm normally holding the dog in a dis engaged position, an electric circuitganelec tro magnet having a: substantially Ur-shaped armature, a ring connecting the armaturewithtthe-clutch tripping arm, and a circuit closing-device located in the pathof the saidbar and adapted to be actuated by the same to energize the magnet and withdraw the clutch tripping arm to permit the spring actuated dog to move automatically to its engaging position. r a I 14. An automatic cutofl? machine including cutting mechanism, means for operating the cutting mechanism for cutting a continuously fed bar, said means comprising an automatic self-contained clutch having a spring actuated dog, a pivoted clutch tripping arm normally holding the dog in a disengaged position, an electro-Inagnet having an armature, a ring connecting the armature With the clutch tripping arm, a circuit closing device located in the path of the said bar and adapted to be actuated by the sameto energize the magnet and withdraw the arm from the dog to permit the latter to move antomatically to its engaging position, and a circuit opening device hav ng a contact connected with the clutch tripping arm for opening the circuit when the arm is actuated bv the magnet and for closing the circuit When the arm is returned to its initial position. Y

15. An automatic cutoif machine including cutting mechanism, a trough located and arranged to receive and support-a COIltlIl uously fed bar, meansfor operating the cutting mechanism at intervals to cut the said bar, said operating means including a clutch, a movable clutch trip member, an electric circuit, an electro-magnet in the said circuit having an armature connected with the said member, and a circuit closing device adjustably mounted on the said trough and movable to points at difierent distances from the cutting mechanism to vary the length of the severed material.

16. An automatic cutofi machine includ-' ing cutting mechanism, a trough located and arranged to receive and support a continuously fed bar, means for operating the cutting mechanism at intervals to cut the said bar, said operating means including a clutch, a movable clutch trip member, an electric circuit, an electro-magnet in the said circuit having an armature connected with the said member, and a circuit closing device provided with clamps slidably interlocked with and engaging the sides of the trough, said circuit closing device being provided with operating means extending into the path of and adapted to be engaged by the said bar.

17. An automatic cutoff machine including cutting mechanism, a trough located and arsaid operating meansincluding a clutch, a movable clutch trip member, an electric circuit, an 'electro-magnet in the said circuit having an armature connected with the said member, and a circuit closing device including a supporting plate arranged upon the sides of the said trough, clamps carried by the supporting plate and slidably interlocked with the sides of the trough and a lever depending from the supporting plate and extending into the path of the bar and adapted to be actuated by the same to close the circuit.

18. An automatic cutoff machine including cutting mechanism, a trough located and arranged to receive and support 'a continuously fed bar, means for operating the cutting mechanism at intervals to cut the said bar, said operating means includinga clutch,

a movable clutch trip vmember, an electric circuit, an electro-magnet in the said circuit having an armature connected with the'said member, and a circuit closing device including a supportingplate extending longitudinally of the trough and having recessed side portions fitting the open edges of the sides of the trough, the latter being provided with longitudinal grooves, clamping means carried by the supporting plate and engaging the said groovesvand an operating member depending from the supporting plate and arranged in the path of and adaptedto be engaged by the said bar;

I 19. An automatic cutoff machine including a cutting mechanism, a troughlocated and arranged to receive and support a continuously fed bar, means foroperating the cutting mechanism at intervals to cut the said bar, said operatingmeans including a clutch, a movable clutch trip member, an

electric circuit, an electro-magnet in the said circuit having an armature connected with the said member, and a circuit closing device including a supporting plate mounted upon the trough and supported by the same, a housing or casing carried by the supporting plate, contact member-s mounted uponthe plate, and arranged with the housing or casing and a lever pivoted to'the sup porting plate and having upper and lower arms, the upper arm being arranged to move one of the contact members into engagement with the other and the lower arm depending from the supporting plate and arranged In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

H. A. PALMER. 

